More worries for residents in Southern Queensland this afternoon as local rivers rise to dangerous levels.

Locals in St George have been advised to evacuate the southern Queensland town immediately as the Balonne River continues to increase rapidly.

Mayor Donna Stewart says authorities have run out of time to complete a temporary levee and the town’s 2,000 residents should leave via the Moonie Highway.

Councillor Stewart says an order to evacuate could be issued later today.

Hydrologist Peter Baddiley says a record flood was always expected in St George, but it is coming faster than expected.

“St George itself will rise fairly rapidly now for the next 24 hours to 36 hours – the final peak – a record flood peak won’t be until Tuesday,” he said.

“It’s a little early to call just how high it’ll be but potentially over 14 metres.”

A flood devastated St George in 2010, when the Balonne peaked at 13.4 metres.

WeatherWatch.co.nz and Weatherzone